A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. — Psalm 68:5
I doubt that there is any disagreement among anyone who may read this about the importance of a mother. We often give credit to mothers across our society for their diligence, love, and commitment to their children and families. But many times, we overlook a father. I am certainly not writing this from a perspective of wanting credit for anything, but from something that has deeply challenged me lately.
In a recent article that I read online, a clinical psychologist shared that one of the most important things missing in our world today is a father. Countless homes exist without fathers to play their important role in the home, not just as a father, but as a husband. The article cited recent research that identified that fathers play a key role in the development of a child, that even a mother cannot fulfil.
A father plays an important role in the social development, educational development, and spiritual development of a home according to the research shared in the article. As I read the article, I was reminded of this verse in Psalm 68. David shares how God is a father to the fatherless, and there is no doubt that He does fill that void for many in life.
While the world would like to overlook the importance of a father, we can certainly see the importance of one in God’s design. God did not design the home to be without a father or mother. There are many who would want you to believe that two mothers or two fathers can fill the void, but that’s not God’s design either.
God specifically created the family as a father and mother. To that point, our society needs fathers to be fathers once again. Fathers need to be present playing the vital role that God designed them to be in the home.
Today, as you reflect on Father’s Day, there are so many thoughts. First, if you have a father who was present and fulfilled the role of a father, thank God. Second, if you are a father, recognize the importance of your role and fulfilling God’s design. Finally, we all play an important part to help share with the world, including those who are without a father, that God is our Heavenly Father. God designed things for a purpose and a plan so that even if a father does not fill the role, we have a Heavenly Father who can and will.
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